Our Graduate

We've been flying by the seat of our pants in May. I can't believe it will be June on Monday. Nonetheless, I wanted to announce that my daughter is officially a graduate of Baylor University and has a job in Austin. She starts Monday. We are super proud of her and all of her accomplishments while at Baylor for only four years! Way to go Lauren!

Our graduate and her brother

Dinner after graduation

One funny note. Zachary asked if he would get to graduate from college one day. I said, "I certainly hope so." We went to a Japanese restaurant where they do all the crazy cooking in front of you. He was pretty interested in all of that. Fire and knifes...a little boys fantasy.

Funny things heard

I thought I would share some of the funny things we have heard and seen over the last several months. Despite the regular talking back (he's learning that on schedule), it is nice to reflect on how humorous my little guy can be.

10. There has been some talk about the future. "When I grow up I want to be married" and "When I am in college Joe Joe will be my friend". Yeah!!!, some interest in people.

9. Mrs. Delany apparently needs some help at school. The other day she was explaining the concept of 'sin' and Zachary interrupted her to tell her that 'sin' was a Spanish word that means 'without'. He was also recently looking over her shoulder while waiting in line, and noticed a student misspelled a word on a spelling test that Mrs. Delany had marked correct. He brought that to her attention too. She thought that was pretty cute, but the student did not.

8. Zachary lost a tooth a couple of weeks ago. There is a little anxiety about this, which is not surprising. However, recently a student in his class got braces, so putting two and two together, he explained to me that "(he) needed braces to keep his other teeth in".

7. With his interest in Chess, we are having to work on good sportsmanship when he wins and loses. He hates losing, but loves winning. So when playing his dad, he said, "I'm going to beat you bad." And he did...in four moves. He was thrilled, but we told him he only needed to say "Daddy, you lost and I won" one time. So in response, he said "Can I say it again in a man voice?" and proceeded to say it in deep, manly voice. We cracked up!

6. For a while, the students had music class in the chapel due to some Ike repairs. To Zachary, it seemed logical that he should be able to play the piano. But not as logical to the piano teacher who told him he did not have permission. He told his aid, "I want to buy some permission from Target." They do carry just about everything.

5. We are working on prayer at night, and he is saying some funny stuff. We were discussing presents, and as serious as can be he said, "I'm thankful for asking for a water bottle for my birthday. Does that count?" He was so sincere, I had to let it count. Then another time, they were learning about the Israelites grumbling in the dessert. He said, "Mom, will you forgive me for grumbling like an Israelite?" Great application and true to heart.

4. We visited Cassie and Travis a while back and were eating Eggo waffles. He sincerely said, "Eggo is Spanish for egg." We all had a good laugh and explained huevo were eggs. Another day, he requested to have his Eggo's cut into quarters, "like Cassie did".

3. For a while he has been interested in people's ages. He said, "when I am 90, how old will Lauren (his sister) be?" I explained she would probably have passed away by then and be in heaven. He paused for a moment and said, "So, I'll be all alone." It made me sad for him, but I explained he would have friends and other family still.

2. He has a new interest in golf. So John has been taking him to the golf course. We go over the rules before he goes, and the last rule is "who is the boss?" He said, "The boss is daddy....and me" and got a little smile on his face.

1. A friend of Zachary's birthday is December 25th. So a while back, he said, "Mom, Kyle and Jesus are twins" and he was being geniune. It seemed logical that the same birthday meant people were twins, so we had a little explaining to do. You could see the wheels spinning after that.

Zachary can be a delight to interact with. At times I would like to zip his mouth closed, but he certainly does say some funny things and keeps us in stitches. Hope you enjoyed it as well.

It finally happened

Many of you know my husband is an avid golfer. He eats, sleeps and breathes it, and honestly I do not mind. He could be doing other things, and he always considers family activities first.

So, I often wondered if Zachary would ever have an interest in golf. I know it will be the one way they could spend time ample amounts of time together, and that is what Zachary craves. Well, the Wii has really contributed to a new interest in sports for Zachary... PRAISE THE LORD (can you hear the choir singing). Not only are we interested in baseball and tennis, we have developed a love for golf.

So far John has taken Zachary to the driving range, and now Zachary requests it at least 1-2x a week, plus the weekend. He has also worked on chipping and putting and John allowed him to play the three practice holes a couple of times. He actually let Zachary play three holes that were part of the course when the course was closed one day. John said on one hole Zachary made it to the green in two shots. Way to go Zachary! Putting is a different story.

I don't think Tiger Woods has much to worry about. Besides, Zachary has decided his golf buddy is Phil Mickelson because he is right handed but plays left...just like Zachary.

Busy! That's an understatement!

At the conclusion of the tax deadline, Boy Scouts bombarded our little lives. We had Scout Fair, which is where every part of Reliant Arena is stuffed with Boy Scout packs from all over Texas plus other vendors with endless activities for the boys to do. Needless to say, after four hours, we were exhausted. Then we faced the flooding, but we made it home safely.

This past weekend, we had our first Boy Scout camping trip. I was a little concerned since I hadn't been Girl Scout camping in 25 years. They do it a little different with the boys, but some luxuries are allowed. We did sleep in tents and had blow-up mattresses for our comfort - THANK YOU!!! Despite the downpour Friday night, we had a pretty good day Saturday. I thought my heart was going to implode when we were playing soccer with the boys.

Zachary was very anxious about getting his Bobcat and Wolf badge (the major badge for 2nd grade). He was ready that morning, but I told him it would be late that night before the ceremony. When the boys started getting dressed in their uniforms, he got a lot more excited. He then started pacing asking when the ceremony would start. I wish I had a video of the award ceremony. He got called up, and me too (and how gross did I look). I had to pin his badges on his shirt, which he insisted they be in the correct place. He kept almost singing under his breath, "I get my Bobcat. I get my Wolf badge." His face was just adorable. He was so proud of himself, and so was I.

We left camp Sunday morning after cleaning up. I was at complete exhaustion and don't think I have fully recovered. How do mother's with multiple children do it? I have a lot more respect for you all. Needless to say, no sooner were we in the car, when I received a few instructions regarding plans for when we got home that afternoon. Like camping wasn't enough!

Pawn, rook, bishop...

What does all of that mean? When my brother was younger, he had a chess set my mom made him. I always envied it, but I'm not sure why. Chess seemed way too hard. Those names of the pieces were enough to put me to sleep.

One afternoon Zachary suggested he go to the Chess Club meeting. My first thought, "um, no, you have therapy after school." I hated that for him, but figured, I could help him learn at home first. So for his birthday, he got a small Chess game. It was hard playing at first because there was so much for Zachary to learn. But it did not take long. Come to find out, they have a chess set in his classroom. He started playing some with John, and before too long, I found out he was teaching others how to play in his class.

So, we broached the Chess Club subject again. I got approval to 'skip' therapy and use the time as a social opportunity. The Chess Club teacher was a little apprehensive, but after the first meeting mentioned how impressed he was with Zachary's behavior and skill.

We attended our second meeting this week, and Zachary was paired with a 4th grader. And you know what...he beat her! He's beaten his dad a few times too. I'm very proud of my little chess player. I don't think we will try any tournaments until next year. In the meantime, anybody want to play chess?

Easter weekend

Did the rabbit visit your house? He did ours, and it is never very exciting to Zachary. I think it is a really an excuse for me and John to eat candy. This year, I didn't even hide eggs. It is like pulling teeth to get him to find them, so why bother. I began to think about how I've conjured up this idea of what Easter is supposed to be like...and that idea is not my Zachary. So we kept is simple.

Yesterday we finished up an Easter project and then dyed eggs last night. He found an Easter basket with candy and pretzels this morning and a set of Resurrection Eggs. He was in heaven because he didn't have to work to get any of it. For Zachary, everything can be a reinforcer, so when it comes free, it must be something really special. Anyway, we ate some candy for breakfast and went through the Resurrection Eggs (set of eggs that tells the story of Holy Week). After a simple breakfast, we were off for church.

The new Easter outfit, and a smile to boot.

We returned only to have John's favorite sandwich...the butt sandwich. That is what I call it because it stinks. He used some of Zachary's dyed eggs to make egg salad. Zachary unwillingly tasted it and then asked for a drink of water. That is how I feel! Yuck!

We've been lazy this afternoon, doing a little school work, watching the Master's, and finishing up a few projects. We'll have a nice dinner and conclude our holiday weekend. Simple, just like the message of Jesus...simple, yet it can have a profound impact on your life. He is Risen!

Love, The Sansing Family

From the mouth's of babes

A while back, my mom sent a video clip of a sweet little girl reciting Psalms 23. I thought, now there is something my boy can do. Zachary has a memory like no other. As a matter of fact, he can tell you things that happened on certain dates several years ago. Just this evening, we were reading a book about snow and he recalled a snow ball fight he had with his sister in 2006. He doesn't always get all the dates right, and thank goodness. I began to wonder if he would also remember all the times my parenting skills were less than perfect. That would be an appropriate pay back. 8-)

Each week at school, the students have to memorize a bible verse. I love that he is learning and hiding God's word in his heart. I'm learning too (one of the benefits of playing mom and tutor). Anyway, I figured I would record him reciting this little passage. At the end, I cut it off too early...he was saying, "I'm all done." It was cute.





And might I add, I memorized it too. My friend Brenda and I laugh at how easily it seems the young can memorize and how we struggle. I guess a little practice goes a long way. Note to self: memorization is not just for the young.